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Drake University Athletics

Drake Drops Bradley In Four Sets

Women's Volleyball Drake Athletics

Drake Drops Bradley In Four Sets

DES MOINES, IOWA - Setters led the way for the Drake University volleyball team, Friday night. The Bulldogs (16-1, 2-1) earned a four-set (25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19) victory over Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley (4-9, 0-3) behind a pair of double-doubles from senior setter Susan Clausen (Johnston, Iowa) and junior setter Caitlin Johnson (Sycamore, Ill.).

Clausen tallied 20 assists and a career-high 11 digs for her first-career double-double. Johnson tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 25 assists and 10 digs.

"It's a very important facet of our game if our setters play solid defense," head coach Phil McDaniel said. "Both Susan [Clausen] and Caitlin [Johnson] played well in that area tonight. If they continue to do that, we'll be solid down the stretch."


Sophomore middle blocker Emily Heffernen (Manchester, Iowa) was one short of her season-high with 12 kills and hit .579 on the night.

"She's so dynamic," McDaniel said of Heffernen. "Shes able to attack a number of different areas on the court and keep the opposing defense on its toes."

Senior outside hitter Mikayla Sims (Waterloo, Iowa) notched a season-best-tying 10 kills for the fourth time this season and led the Bulldogs with a .714 attack percentage. Sims' high-percentage night helped the Bulldogs hit an even .300 as a team.

Senior libero Alana Wittenburg (Readlyn, Iowa), who was honored before the match for becoming the fifth MVC performer to log 2,000 career digs, tallied a game-best 20 to move her career total to 2,045.

The Bulldogs welcome No. 16 UNI to the Knapp Center Saturday. The Panthers lead the Valley with a 3-0 conference record.

"They'll bring a lot of fans and energy," McDaniel said. "We've got to match their energy and surpass their intensity. "It should be a pretty good match. We usually match up pretty well."

First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Mikayla Sims

#3 Mikayla Sims

OH
5' 11"
Freshman
Alana Wittenburg

#2 Alana Wittenburg

DS/L
5' 2"
Freshman
Susan Clausen

#6 Susan Clausen

S
5' 8"
Senior
Emily Heffernen

#15 Emily Heffernen

MB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Caitlin Johnson

#10 Caitlin Johnson

S
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Mikayla Sims

#3 Mikayla Sims

5' 11"
Freshman
OH
Alana Wittenburg

#2 Alana Wittenburg

5' 2"
Freshman
DS/L
Susan Clausen

#6 Susan Clausen

5' 8"
Senior
S
Emily Heffernen

#15 Emily Heffernen

6' 0"
Sophomore
MB
Caitlin Johnson

#10 Caitlin Johnson

5' 9"
Junior
S